Top 8 Books of 2018

It's time to say goodbye to 2018. It was a year for the books for me. I had a lot of things I loved about it and a lot of things I could have done without in a way. I know that every piece of the journey got me where I am today including the books! I did four different reading challenges and finished all but one of them. I still read 98 books in 2018, and my goal was to read 75 books. I feel great about that accomplishment.

Here are my top 8 books for this year!

Christmas Eve Magical Holiday Tag

Merry Christmas Everyone! I'm excited to bring this tag to you today! We are really excited today. Mostly for me, it's working only a half day and getting paid for a full day. But, it is also Christmas! I'm very excited about this tag so let's get to it!

As long as there's Christmas, I truly believe that hope is the greatest of the gifts we receive. 

2019 Planner Line Up

"Let's get ready to rumble." This is not my phrase or word for the year, but this is what comes to mind when I hear lineup. Sorry, my baseball nerd self is showing. But yes, I have now become one of those people who have a planner line-up.

I have Simplified Planners, Hogwart Planner and an Erin Condren? Oh yeah, we are going there!

Stocking Stuffers 2018

It's finally truly Christmas time! I'm sure you went Black Friday Shopping, Small Business Shopping, and of course, today, Cyber Monday shopping! If you haven't I have some ideas for stocking stuffers today that I think are unique!

Something for everyone!

Fall 2018 Tag - Part 2

Thank you to all the veterans who have risked their lives and those who gave their lives. I have never really expressed my gratitude for these people who really did give up their lives. I wanted to share it here. I also wanted to share the rest of the questions.

I have planted poppies in honor.

Thankful Thursday 2018 - Week 2

Welcome back to another week of Thankful Thursdays! This is week two! If you don't know what Thankful Thursdays are on my blog, refer to this blog post. There are always so many blessings right in front of us; we just have to open our eyes and hearts to receive them. So what am I thankful for this past week?

Psalm 95:2 “Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.”

Thankful Thursday 2018 - Week 1

Welcome back to Thankful Thursdays! This is week one! If you don't know what Thankful Thursdays are on my blog, refer to this blog from last year. There are always so many blessings right in front of us; we just have to open our eyes and hearts to receive them. So what am I thankful for this past week?

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all wonderful deeds. - Psalm 9:1

Tea Time With Hunter: The Big One

Grab your favorite tea! Please take a few seconds to get comfortable... There is big news to be shared! I'm actually skipping the tea today, however, and switching it to some fantastic, hot apple cider.

This is going to seem so unreal for me!

Questions with Vin

Yep, a little different here! We have the one, the only-- Vin with me today! I know! That's huge! Basically, you are gonna get to talk to my other half today! It's technically the boyfriend tag! So let's do this!

I love having Vin on the blog today!

Mini Currents: 10:12:18

Hey, ya'll! It's been a while since we have had a mini current. I thought I would drop in on this Homecoming Weekend (well, if you are an Alabama fan.) Bonfire is tonight, and for the first time in forever, it's cooler in Alabama!

More information about my currents and Mini Currents: Why Currents, Currents
And why I no longer do currents daily: Tea Time with Hunter Volume 5

Halloween 2018 Questions

Halloween at last! I love October for Halloween fun. I have brought you Halloween questions before, but never like this! These questions are unique to my blog! I hope you enjoy!

And if you like these questions, make sure to thank A Pop of Jess.

Fall 2018 Outfits

It's my favorite time of year and I've had a fantastic month so far and it is only the 8th! Yall I cannot wait to tell you at the end of the month what has happened like it's huge! But, I'm also really excited about these outfits, because I love to create outfits for different occasions!

It's sweater weather time!

Horcrux Readathon Results and Reviews

Hey everyone! Surprise I'm going away this weekend! I'm actually on my way right now. I've had enough of my work for a while and I just need to get away. And I'm actually kind of sad that September is already over! How can this be? A part of fall has already disappeared! But I did finish the Horcrux Challenge!

This was a rather fun, yet challenging readathon! It would read most of these again.

#ITeachToo Teacher Tag

When I graduated from college, I looked back at my student teaching days and I smiled so big. I remember being a student who had a student teacher in their room, and I was amazed at how different the styles and techniques were. I realized I actually done the same thing to the teachers, I came in with new ideas and new hope. I was finally a teacher.

I still love to teach and that will always be a big part of my heart.

9 Tailgatin' Activities

Yall I love tailgatin'. Though here in recent years I haven't been able to enjoy it like I used to do. But there is just something about the time before a game where we are all just excited and feeling the energy buzzing around you. But what do you do for tailgating?

I'm going to let you in on the activities that I and my family participate in!

Fall 2018 Tag - Part 1

The fall season is upon us. I realize some people won't let go of summer, but I cut ties as soon as September 1st to soak up the air that doesn't have humidity in it. I love the smells of this season. I have a few questions about this season.

You can feel free to answer this questions as well.

B.A.M.

Exercising your body is good, but what about your brain and your mind? If you follow me over on Instagram, you will have seen my Powersheets. And one of the recent daily action steps is something I call B.A.M.

This is how I exercise my brain, thoughts, self-aware and mind!

August 2018 Favorites

HELLO YALL! YALL IT'S FALL!!!!! I'm so excited about this! It's the most wonderful time of the year! Okay, you'll hear me say that again in December. But the months of summer move like molasses for me, probably because of the humidity in Alabama. Everything moves like a sloth in Alabama summers.

Don't mind me sitting on a tailgate with BBQ ribs in my mouth...

Horcrux Readathon TBR

Happy Hogwarts Day Everyone! We are skipping Hogwarts this year to look for Horcruxes. While someone sets up the tent let's talk about my to-be-read list for the Horcrux Challenge. Harry Potter and the Order of Planners - Flourish and Blotts created this epic readathon for us.

“Honestly, don’t you two read?” - Hermione

Podcast List - Part 4

Hey yall! It's been time for the last Podcast list for the year! I have had a lot of fun with this. I have picked up some good podcasts, and I have picked up some bad ones. I may pick this series up again in the new year. I'm not sure. But I have to say this has been one of my favorite series.

Goodbye new Podcasts for now!

Fall 2018 Bucket List

The last of the grills are heating up, the chlorine smell is clinging to our skin, and the freckles from the sun show well on our bodies. It's almost September 1st! Don't you hear the Hogwarts Express being geared up? Do you not smell the pumpkin spice already?! But, this girl is ready for simmering soup, leaves smells, and sweaters! And I love fall, so I'm stretching it out as much as I can.

Welcome my friends to my blog, I've dying to meet you...

O.W.L.s Book Challenge Results - 2018

Hello Everybody! Welcome back to my blog! I have exciting mail in my hands! I have finished my O.W.L.s Exams. Yes, I took my exams later than everyone else. Let's just say I'm a homeschooling witch and that my exams come later! Here we go!

“Hermione,” said Ron sternly, “we’ve been through this before...we’re not going through every exam afterwards, it’s bad enough doing them once.”

End of Summer Tag - 2018

Hey y'all! Fall is almost here! Less than 15 days away and I'm countin' the days! Trust me I can smell the Pumpkin Spice Latte. It's coming!

Looking back now it makes me laugh - Kenny Chesney "Young"

Erin Condren Life Planner Tag 2018

Hello everyone! I did this tag back in 2015, and wow have things changed. I almost didn't use an EC this year. So this is even more interesting for me. Let's see what all has changed.

How do you plan? How do I plan? Stick around.

Summer 2018 Book Haul

Used bookstores, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Kindle all invite me in with the choices of books. I have specific bags now for books. I have two Kindles that have covers on them to protect them. Why? Because I cherish reading. It's a shame we are going to a society that doesn't push for reading.

Somehow the idea of having a To Be Read list that never ends makes me happy. While I do return to a few stories each year, I love discovering new ones.

Gal Pal Movies

HELLO EVERYBODY! I'm excited to be bringing you some of my favorite movies today! But not just not any favorite movies, but the movies that I will always to share with my friends!

Everything from "the bend and snap" to "

July 2018 Favorites

Hey y'all! I cannot believe it's almost autumn!!! I keep waiting for the hint of fall to slip between the windows. That crisp air the slips into your lungs. Oh yeah, I'm still in August. Back to July though for just a second.

August the sunday of summer.

Tea Time with Hunter: Changes & Planning

It's been a while since I did a Tea Time with Hunter. Life has been thrown upside down. Do not get me wrong my life is still amazing. I am so blessed beyond measure. Please grab some tea with me.

Realizing that you are meant for someone may take longer than you. You may have to spend some time apart. Sometimes you just look at someone and realize that is your first love... and your last. So yall pick your favorite tea and pull up a nice comfortable seat.

O.W.L.s 2018 Readathon TBR List

Hello everyone! While I'm not doing Popsugar Reading Challenge 2018. I am in fact now thinking of finishing up the year of reading by doing some readathons!

What does O.W.L.s mean? How you do this challenge? Where did this challenge come from?

7 Moments of Harry Potter

Hello everybody! I just finished up the HPathon. Yep, read all seven Harry Potter books in the month of July! I plan to do this every July as long as I can. So, I figured I'd do top moments of Harry Potter post.

7 Apps for Wellness

Hello again everybody! I hope you are enjoying the last full week of July! Today I want to talk to you about wellness. Not necessarily weight loss or fitness, but wellness in general. So many people think that wellness means not sick or losing weight. Wellness is how your body is and feels.

These are just a few of the wellness apps that I use.

7 Favorites of Last Week

Hello! Back from Florida and I'm soaking up the last bit of summer, preparing for fall. Actually, let's be real, I'm counting down the days until college football starts, which, is when fall starts. Last week was rushing around trying to finish things at work because of year-end coming up. And also rushing around because we went to Disney World for two and a half days!

This was a very hot, but extremely fun week.

7 Disney World Pictures

Hello! I'm at the Happiest Place on Earth! I'm at Disney World again! I'm so excited to bring you some pictures from Disney World!

I hope you enjoy these glimpses into the world!

7 Faith Habits

Hello everyone! You've hopefully read about my health habits that I've added this year. If not I'll link it here. But, something has been tugging at me a long time, and that's my faith habits. I've been a Christian for all of my life. I cannot remember not being in church, knowing hymns, and being able to know some Bible verses. But I wanted more, and I still do.

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without me, they can do nothing." - John 15:5

7 Places to Go with My Best Friend

One of my favorite things to do is travel, and one of my favorite people is A Pop of Jess. So, I'm combining the two soon. We are going to travel everywhere together.

My list of our adventures is a little different from hers.

7 Planner Instagrams I Love

Welcome back for another round of 7 things! Up today is accounts of Instagram that I love. And not just any ole Instagram accounts! These people are epic planners!

Some I have been following for many years, while others I just started this year!

7 Books on My To Be Read List

Well, July is here and that means it is time for the Harry Potter-athon, or as I call it, the HPathon. I'm excited to be reading those beloved books again. I have a to-be-read list longer than my arm. But keeping with the theme for this month I picked my top 7.

I have always imagine that paradise will be a kind of library.

7 Favorites of June 2018

GOODBYE JUNE! Please be gone! Ugh, I have always hated the month of June and as I get older it really doesn't get better. I have terrible memories associated with the month of June, and I just keep adding to them. But, there were way more good things from this month though!

I don't know where I am going, but I'm on my way.

Summer 2018 Bucket List

Hooray for spring being over with an on to my second least favorite holiday. Summer, you are hot, you humid, and you are horrible. People up north fuss because they have snow, snow in April. I get that's a bust. But it is so hot in Alabama we don't want to go outside because we can't breathe because of the humidity and the actual degree of heat!

So again, I'm making a fun list to survive the hot, humid days of summer.

Podcast List - Part 3

Welcome back! If you are new here, please note that this list is the podcasts I listened to during the month of June. I have challenged myself to listen to a new podcast every week. I have staple podcasts that I listen to weekly so this was a big challenge to find new podcasts.

I will be skipping the month of July, because of vacations and I have some serious reading to catch up on.

Quarterly Book Talk: Spring 2018

Hello everyone! I promised you a book talk and here we are! It's been a long time coming and I'm sure that the summer one will be even longer! But here we are with the spring talk.

These books are a bit of a crazy whirlwind.

Rapid Fire Book Tag

Here we go! A book tag before my book talk! Oops, now you know that a spring book talk will be coming. But I wanted to do something a little fun. I hope you enjoy!

Life is note a PG feel-good movie. Real life often ends badly. Literature tries to document this reality, while showing us it is still possible for us to endure nobly. - Matthew Quick, The Silver Linings Playbook

A Summer's Day Grocery List

The sun is high in the sky, and the splashes from the pool can be heard miles away as one of the kids cannonballs with great force! All of that energy will eventually wear off and then the question of what are they going to eat will fill my ears. So, I better be prepared.

This isn't my complete grocery list, but it gives you a sample of what I go shopping for almost weekly.

Word of the Year 2018 Update

Halfway through the year; are you living your life according to your word of the year? How are you doing with keeping up with your word of the year?

I flourish with grace because of His grace.

A Few of My Favorite Playlists

While many people love Spotify for playlists, I prefer Youtube playlists. There are so many more things you can add to their playlists that you can't Spotify. I can add an inspiring speech in the middle of my running playlist if I want.

Today I'm sharing the playlists of mine that I have come to love that I have put together over the last few months.

Where Our Family Shops For Groceries

It's time for... Supermarket Sweep! Do you remember that show? I do, and I would still love to be on it! But, alas, I can't go flying down the aisles grabbing stuff and knocking stuff off the shelf in the process. However, I do enjoy wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles for the most part.

But things are changing, now you can sit in your car and have your groceries brought out to you. Or, you can even stay at your house and someone brings them to you.

May 2018 Favorites

Well, goodbye May. May kind of went by in a whirlwind. May was harder and if I'm being honest, I'm not so sure June will be easier or better. I am having to face a lot of fears that I never thought I would have to face this way.

But there are some good things coming out of May and I want to share them with you.

Podcast List - Part 2

It's the end of this month and I've been listening again! Amongst everything else, I have still listened to these for you! I'm going to let you know about these three podcasts! This month was very sassy, slightly nerdy and fun filled!

You Gotta Listen!

2018 Summer Haul - Part 2

Yep! I bought even more! It's a wild ride around here. I have a feeling I'll be embracing a throwback summer! Bring it on!

Shop til you drop!

Receiving Gifts: 5 Love Languages

When you hear someone's love language is receiving gifts, most people think it's bad. It's my number one and I promise that this love language can be just as cheap as the other love languages. There is nothing wrong with loving small tokens from people.

Every birthday is a gift.

Every day is a gift.

- Aretha Franklin